When a person dies without a will, an already difficult situation can become a complicated legal mess for the person’s loved ones.

The State Is Involved

When a person dies without a will, it is said that the person died “intestate.” Each state has intestacy laws in place which determine who is entitled to the deceased’s property and assets.

While intestacy laws vary slightly from state to state, they generally follow the same path, especially for smaller estates. If someone dies without a will but owns no property and has assets of less than $100,000, no formal court proceeding is required. Family members can file a Declaration of Small Estate through a bank or even the DMV and are then allowed to collect and split the deceased’s assets.

If property is involved, however, collecting the estate becomes more complicated.

Property & Relationships Are Involved

When a person dies without a will and owns property, the process varies considerably based on the deceased’s relationship status.

If the person who dies without a will is single with or without children, the process is generally easier than if the deceased is married or has a domestic partner.

What If the Person Who Dies Without a Will Is Single?

If a person who is not married dies without a will, the person’s estate goes to his or her child or is split evenly between multiple children.

If the person who dies without a will has no children, then the estate goes to his or her parents. If the parents are deceased, the estate is split among siblings.

What If the Person Who Dies Without a Will Is Married?

State laws vary far more widely if a person dies without a will and leaves behind a spouse or domestic partner, children and other relatives.

If there are children in the relationship, they may inherit up to two-thirds of the estate while the spouse receives the remainder.

If there are no children in the relationship, the surviving spouse may inherit the entire estate — or, depending on the state, as little as one-third of the property and assets, with the rest going to the parents and siblings of the deceased.

Intestacy Laws Around the World

In ancient times, if a person died and left no clear heirs, kings or other rulers would claim the deceased’s estate as their own.

In some ways, that rule is still in effect — if the deceased has no living relatives, his or her property and assets get turned over to the state.

Many countries around the world have intestacy laws similar to those of the United States, including Canada, England, Wales and Ireland. Other countries do not have explicit intestacy laws, but many family members of people who die without wills can successfully claim ownership of their deceased relatives’ estates.

Note: This page is for general informational purposes only. LLS cannot give personal legal advice to any individual. Please contact an attorney with any questions. Our full disclaimer can be read here.

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66 Responses to “What Happens When a Person Dies Without a Will?”

Dear Sir,
On date 24th Dec 2012 My uncle died in Manchaester Rochdale.
Orginaly he was from Pakistan but got british nationality.
After his death her wife did not allow to transfer the body to pakistan to his parents & brother & burried him in UK.
We are living out of UK so we do not have an idea that how to do this all.However we know that she did this all for the wealth,insurance claim & other financial benifit that will meet her after the death of her husband.
Now we want to know that how we can get our right.

Grandfather died in 1947, recently found title to home is still in his name since 1928. He was a widow and left 2 daughters. 1st daughter had 8 children,2nd daughter had 3 children. 1st daughter out lived 6 of her a children and died 1998. At this time her 2 surviving children are also deceased. 2nd daughter died 2012, her 3 children alive. Existing deed is in the name of a great-granddaughter, but title was never changed. Who are the rightful owners
of this property?

Hmm this is a hard one for me. My Mother passed away on Sunday the 21st of this month. She had no will… my brother caught my father trying to get my Mother to sign a will on her death bed. This has upset the entire family. They own a large farm and have bank accounts from money my mother got when her father passed. Mother had told us in the past she had set up college funds for her grandchildren. The will that he wanted her to sign stated any and all accounts and property was to go to him and him alone. None of us children want his property, but what about the college funds for the children? We kind of feel like he has tryed to be greedy with the money. This breaks my heart in a time like this. What can we do? The paper he wanted her to sign stated all other wills before this one would be void. This makes me think she did have a will and be wants to change it more to his favor. Is there a way to find out if a person has a will already?

My mother died recently and had no will. She had prpropty. My sister and I were her guardians for about 2 years. We have another sister and one sister that had pasted away-she had two children. My second sister is not cooperating with us. The other four of us are in agreement on how to handle the estate. What will happen if she continues to object? We are in Kansas

My uncle had died without a will. He was single and my mother took care of the estate. She has given money to my uncle,two aunts,and grandmother. My uncle has money under $6,000 which some banks and securities are refusing to give up the money. Could she use a Simplified Procedures form in her state of NC to get that money? Hope for your reply.

My friends husband (Utah) bought a duplex and had it in his name only and died without a will. They have one child together and he has 2 children (all adults)from previous marriage. Everything else they had was owned jointly. Now what?

Hi my father was never married but live in sc he have 6 children in ny and one in sc she told us that we was not intitle to any thing but he did not leave a will she said because we live in ny everything goes to her if that not true how do we fix it and how do we get a law

Can you elaborate on how detailed the information on a will must be in order to be pertinent? In other words, would it be a legal issue if the will designates an individual but only contained wording naming the institutions (bank name and brokerage firm…) without listing individual account numbers? There is no dispute between members of the family…but there is concern with how institutions handle such matters.
Thank you for your reply!

When living together (not married), would opposite sex partners be considered ‘domestic partners’ or would ‘spouse’ be appropriate when constructing a will (in Texas)? Is there a period of time that would legally constitute ‘common law marriage’? It seems there are a lot of urban myths surrounding this topic!
Thank you for your reply!

Hello! I was just looking online and found this site. My father just past away and he was dating a woman for over 10 years but they never married and he had no will . He has property and other belongings that she is trying to say are hers because she was with him for so long. None of the things were actually purchased by her because she has never worked or had any income. Do you have any advice as to what I need to do in order to retrieve my fathers belongings before they get sold by her or is there any legal to stop her?

If a person dies and has absolutely no living family whatsoever, what happens to their properties and money? And let’s say this person has a quarter of a million dollars in a bank. What happens to that money?

a friend died has a ex wife who they still got along great but his dad and sisters all live in japan how or what do the ex or the family members do in this case? no property owned except a car and stuff in his apartment no kids…body still at corners office who can get him released?

My husband died December 4, 2013. We had separate bank accounts, we did not have a will and the bank told me I needed to be named executor of his estate. Went to courthouse and they gave me a packet of papers to fill out and said it will cost $231 to file out. What exactly is an executor of estate and what do they do? The only thing we owned together was an acre of land and it is paid for.

I have recently found out who my father was/is. He passed away in 1984 and I would like to become his legal child. My mother did not name him on my birth certificate, she gave no name for a father. What is required in the state of Michigan, where he lived and I was born or if possible in the state of Florida where I live now. I have no desire to claim any estate only to have legal documents showing he is my father. I am 60 years old and it took 50 years for my mother to tell me his name this was just before she passed away.

My father died in California this week. He was widowed, had no will, nor did he own any property, car etc. apart from a small checking & savings account. We want to pay off what few debts he had–how is this accomplished?

My sister died nearly 4 years ago in South Africa and had not left a will
She was married and had no children
She owned 2 properties, in Johannesburg where she lived with her husband and one in Durban where my mum lived (my mum had previously sold her house and contributed to the purchase of the flat in Durban)
My sister had intended to create a will but needed copies of passports of her nieces and nephews which was not sent to her to complete this process
What are legal rights of my mum staying in the Durban property and does she have any claim to my sister’s life insurance payout
My sister had publicly said that eventually the flat in Jhb was to go my daughter and the flat in Durban to one of my nephews

My father died 6 years ago and now that my wife is in real estate we are just finding out that he owned the house he lived in. How do I go about getting ownership of this home if his brother is currently living in it?

My dad died and left no will. The farm passed to my mother, sister and me. Our mother passed away. If my sister or I die will the farm pass to the survivor only or to the deceased sister’s children also? This is in Texas.

My father passed away with no will. He had an account with about $60,000. Before he passed he put that account in his name, my stepmothers name, and my two uncles names. Also, there are things that were put into storage. My name was not put onto that account and the storage is under one of my uncles names. Do I have any right to any of these things? All I am asking is for them to be fair.

My grandmother died without a will several years ago, at the time she had 7 surviving children. Her home had already been sold to an Uncle for 1$ several years before that.. Other than that she had approx 16,000 in her savings and 3 burial plots;since then an Uncle has passed and there are two left. There are 5 surviving siblings. Initially an email was sent out requesting everyone’s agreement to use a plot once my Aunts husband dies (my Aunt is the descendant and not buried there) .. All did not agree. My Uncle (1 of 5 remaining children) was executor of my grandmothers estate immediately after her death; everything has long since been finished and taken care of (taxes filed , disbursement of savings account and the estate is closed. My Uncle (because everyone didn’t agree to the future burial of this person (a-son-in-law) ) has stated that as “Executor” of my grandmothers estate (again she died 10 years ago) he now OWNS those plots because of status as Executor and plans to override the objection of his sister (whom he does not like because she told my grandmother (when she was asked directly) what the sibling meeting had been about -talking/pushing/guilting my Grandmother into a nursing home. My Grandmother was of very sound mind with some physical limits (walker- wheelchair for long trips) was angry and she let them know it. So the daughter that told ended up taking care of her ALONE for next 5 years stopping before ABD after work, Dr”s, shopping etc (she even lost a promotion)… Does my Uncle have the power to override siblings now that estate is closed and in the fact my grandmother had no will? He claims as executor he owns it now.
Thank you

I was a caregiver to a person who passed away with no living relative, wife, children or siblings. I cared for him for 5 years, question: where would he assests go? ie; bank accounts, market cd’s and other items

My blood father passed away earlier this year. I have spoke to hom two times my entiire life. I am now 39 years old and recieved a letter in the mail about estate and probate. Some of it kind of seemed like his debt was being passed to me. Can his debt be passed to a son e never acknowledged? Also do i have rights to his estate even if he was remarried? I assume he had no living will since they filed a small estate under probate court here in iowa. If this is the case and there is sone sort of assets that are legally due to myself can i file a conjunction to recieve what is mine by state law? After all even if he wasnt there for me in life having something to financially help my current living situation would surely help. Any suggestions outaide of get with an attourney in my area?

Unfortunately we cannot offer you any direct legal advice, only general information. However, we do have a directory of attorneys which you can use to find a professional in your area. Please be advised that Legal Language does not pre-approve or endorse any attorney in our directories.

I line in N.C. My step farther has pass which was married to my mom who is already decease. He has brother and sisters that Ive never seen. Do they have the right to his estate since Im only a stepchild? And he didn’t leave a will.

My brother passed away April 2014 he left his lawsuit,and he left no Will,he has an adult son age 38,who will inherit his lawsuit his siblings or his adult son please I need your help I lived with my brother all my life I took care of him,so I don’t get nothing or I do

my mother died in dec.1979 in the city of montebello ca. when I was 8 yrs old I’m 43 now and I have 5 other brothers younger than me well the city of montebello started a money donation for all of us I was told individually for each one of us and it started at age 18 and its tax free and it accumulates until we claim it but I don’t know how to go about it. HELP!!! need some good advice

what happens when there was no will made outand the city of montebello and the state are the ones who started a trust fund for me and my siblings how do we go about claiming that trust funs they also told us it might be held up in a bank in the city of montebello

I’m single,four grown kids,no money no nothing what happens to me.just wondering,and if I died tomorrow,what happens,with my body,I’m 49 yrs old,going on 50 on February 26,right now I’m filling out a living will declaration,but really don’t know what it’s about or really how to fill it out.can someone e-mail me and let me know or help me understand.thank you and God Bless from viv

My aunt died recently intestate.She was unmarried and has no children. I understand that her estate will left to her siblings of which there are 4 alive and 3 deceased. Our solicitor says the deceased sibling are to be included in the estate. Is this the law?

My mother parents passed away 10 yrs ago and owned a home but left no will ,my mother is the only child still alive ,there are grandchildren.is the home belong to her since she is the only child still alive , this is in Texas ?

My husbands uncle has recently passed he has left no will and he owns properties and has money in the bank their are 3 silblings left his sister has passed away which is my husbands mother,would his eestate be equally split between just 3 brothers or would me& my brothers be entitled to some of the estate as my mum has passed and she was a sibling?

WANDA.FLA…. CAN CHILDREN WE RAISED A LONG WITH YOUR 3 CHILDREN, BUT WERE NEVER ADOPTED (OR NO HELP FROM STATE OR ANY ONE ) BE EQUAL WITH OUR CHILDREN WHEN WE DIE AND HAVE A PART OF ANY INHERITANCE WE MAY LEAVE , WITHOUT A WILL ???

my uncle and myself, had a home together. he passed away with no will. his sibling are not willing to allow me to sell the home . I still live in the home. I cannot afford the home and it’s to much home for me, want to sell and get something smaller. what can I do ?

My father was a police man and died in 1992 when I was born,now we head that someone is using his information/details at work.he had a house but unfortunately his family sold it but they knew he had 2 children.how do we fight this please help.

She was married. We (siblings) are wondering what we need to do next. Our mom had a her own bank account that her husband was not on the account. The money she had in the bank came from the sell of the home in which she had before they were married but the money went into her account while they were married.

We don’t know what to do. He is wanting us to sign something ( I haven’t received my paperwork) but it sounds fishy.

Mom and dad had five acres, both have passed. My father was a sr.and my brother thinks since he has the same name that all of it belongs to him.I want to sell mine but he tells me its his.what can I do? Thank you

I have a question. My mother died unexpectedly so therefore she had no will. My father and her had property and the deed is in both names. My parents had always told us from the beginning that if one or the other passes away that their part of the land is to be divided between the 4 of us children. Well I just found out today that my father has taken and but the whole property in my sister’s name alone and left us other 3 in the dark and did not bother to ask us. Is this legal is Texas can he do that without our signature. I was told that he could not. But would like to know the exact details before I hire an attorney. Thank you for you time,,

My brother died two months ago in Texas. He was a homeless Vietnam veteran with no estate and no will. The only thing he had was a bank account. My parents are deceased and the only heirs are siblings. What forms are required to petition for any money left in his in his bank account? Do we need an attorney or can we get the forms from the Texas Comptroller website? Thank you.

My father just passed he had no will. The deed to the houses are in both his and my grandfathers name he is also passed. I’m the only child of my father’s. Who does the houses go to? Or should i just wash my hands of the mess since i have aunts and uncles who want the houses.

Hi my husband’s father passed he was not married and left no will he also had no property the only thing he had was a new car that will be paid off due to an insurance policy he had through the car company. My husband has a13 year old sister and her mother is saying she should get the car because the daughter is a minor is that true?

I’m 17 and both my parents are deceased. My dad was the recent death and he’s left no will. I want to leave the house my sister is having me stay at my “caregiver” through dhs although the fishy thing is there is no proof. But they say if I leave I’ll be a runaway and they can lock me up in cic. I have no legal guardian so any advice as to what I should do? I live in Lawton Oklahoma

My mother died in small town in GA in 2010. I am her only child and she was unmarried. When I arrived at town all funeral arrangements were completed. I never received her death certificate (I had to go buy one) or any insurance funds. she was receiving social security and disability at the time. to my knowledge her only possession was a small car. I can not get the title to the car b/c they need me to prove who I am with a power of attorney which I don’t have. I don’t know where to start or how to proceed in settling my moms estate. I have been trying for years making numerous phone calls receiving packets from the court in GA that are too complicated to complete. I don’t know what to do next and I would like to put this to rest as I did my poor mom

My brother died this February, and he told me if I get good grades in school that he will let me get awarded with his laptop, well his girlfriend at the time has his laptop now and refuses to give me his things she has.. What do you guys suggest.

My brother died a month ago and didn’t have a will ,, he owned a few cars and house hold items his girlfriend is getting rid of the things he had.. what can I do to stop this?? My mother is alive but doesn’t want to do anything about it.. so what can I do as his brother??